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Suspension and Steering Problems?? Keister's Tire Centers Can Help!!! |
| Keister's personnel has put together this list of some steering and suspension problems and their probable causes. Some of these solutions are quite easy and require little time but will make a significant improvement in your car's handling and performance. |
|
Abnormal
Tire Wear |
|
Probable
Cause |
Remedy |
| Incorrect tire inflation pressure | Check and Inflate to recommended air pressure |
| Improper wheel alignment setting (camber and toe) | Adjust to factory specifications |
| Tire Imbalance (cupped wear) | Balance tires |
| Worn tire rod ends | Replace tie rod assemblies |
| Worn ball joints or suspension bushings | Replace ball joints or bushings |
| Worn shocks or struts | Replace shocks or struts |
| Bent control arm or spindle | Replace control arm or spindle |
| Loose wheel bearings | Adjust or replace bearings |
Car
Pulls To One Side |
|
Probable
Cause |
Remedy |
| Uneven tire pressure | Check and Inflate to recommended air |
| Mismatched tires | Replace all tires |
| Improper front wheel alignment setting (caster and camber) | Adjust to factory specifications |
| Improper rear wheel alignment (adjustment or bent parts) | Adjust to factory specifications or replace parts |
| Worn ball joints or suspension bushings | Replace ball joints or bushings |
| Dragging brake | Check for mechanical or hydraulic problem |
| Inoperative brake on opposite side | Check for seized caliper, brake fluid leak or restriction, worn or contaminated brake linings |
| Power steering rack or box defective | Replace or repair power steering unit |
Car
Wanders Side-To-Side |
|
Probable
Cause |
Remedy |
| Worn tie rod ends | Replace tie rod assembly |
| Improper front wheel alignment setting (too little positive caster) | Adjust to factory specifications |
| Low tire pressure | Check and Inflate to recommended air pressure |
| Loose wheel bearings | Adjust or replace bearings |
| Worn idler arm or pitman arm | Replace idler arm or pitman arm |
| Worn suspension bushings | Replace bushings |
| Worn struts or shock absorbers | Replace struts or shocks |
Excessive
Play In Steering |
|
Probable
Cause |
Remedy |
| Loose steering gear adjustment | Adjust steering gear to specifications |
| Loose steering gear mounting | Tighten steering gear mounting bolts |
| Worn tie rod ends | Replace tie rod assemblies |
| Loose wheel bearings | Adjust or replace bearings |
| Worn idler arm or pitman arm | Replace idler arm or pitman arm |
Hard
Steering While Car Is Rolling |
|
Probable
Cause |
Remedy |
| Low tire pressure | Check and Inflate to recommended air pressure |
| Binding in steering linkage | Check for interference, lack of lubricant |
| Tight steering gear adjustment | Adjust to factory specifications (too much positive caster) |
| Failure in power steering system | Check fluid level, belt, pump, hoses and pressure valve |
Hard
Steering While Car Is Still |
|
Probable
Cause |
Remedy |
| Low tire pressure | Check and Inflate to recommended air pressure |
| Binding in steering linkage | Check for interference, lack of lubricant |
| Tight steering gear adjustment | Adjust steering gear to factory specifications |
| Failure in power steering system | Check fluid level, belt, pump, hoses, and pressure valve |
Front
Wheel Shimmy |
|
Probable
Cause |
Remedy |
| Tire imbalance | Balance tires |
| Bent wheel | Replace wheel |
| Worn or loose wheel bearings | Adjust or replace bearings |
| Improper wheel alignment setting (too much positive caster) | Adjust to factory specifications |
| Worn hydraulic steering damper | Replace steering damper |
Clunking
Noise Over Bumps |
|
Probable
Cause |
Remedy |
| Squealing noise: loose, worn or contaminated pump belt | Adjust or replace belt |
| Groaning noise: low fluid level | Fill pump reservoir with proper fluid |
| Whining noise: worn pump bearings | Rebuild or replace power steering pump |
| Growling noise: fluid restriction, or defective pump or steering gear | Check fluid flow, pump output, then steering gear |
| Hissing noise while turning with car stationary | This is a normal operation |
Steering
Wheel Pull / Shimmy When Braking |
|
Probable
Cause |
Remedy |
| Uneven braking force | Check for mechanical or hydraulic problem |
| Inoperative brake | Check for seized caliper, fluid leak or restriction, worn or contaminated lining |
| Weak or broken spring | Replace spring |
| Worn shocks or struts | Replace struts or shocks |
| Deteriorated suspension bushings | Replace bushings |
| Loose wheel bearings | Adjust or replace bearings |
| Excessive disc brake rotor run-out | Replace both front or rear brake discs or rotors |
| Improper front wheel alignment settings | Adjust alignment to fatory specifications |
| keisters@keisters.com |